Inner West streets turn Green

Monday, 19 November 2018

Inner West Council has entered into a contract to systematically replace street lights in residential streets with new LED lights that will use much less power, save ratepayers money and reduce carbon emissions.

Council will invest $2.8 million over the next two years replacing the older fluorescent lamps, many of which were installed decades ago.

“For years, we’ve been calling on energy providers to replace the old, wasteful lamps, which consume a lot of power and represent around a quarter of Council’s annual electricity consumption.

“We are not prepared to wait any longer and have taken the initiative to update the streetlights that keep residential roads safe at night, by replacing them with efficient Light Emitting Diode [LED] lamps,” he said.

“This investment will return enough through reduced costs to be paid off within seven years.

“By biting the bullet and rolling out LED we will saving ratepayers money and reducing carbon emissions in the Inner West by almost 1,500 tonnes each year

The more efficient residential streetlights will protect Council and residents against the rising cost of electricity. Efficient streetlights will also reduce climate impact," he said.

The more efficient residential streetlights will protect Council and residents against the rising cost of electricity. Efficient streetlights will also reduce climate impact.

Other benefits include:

Providing the community with more effective, high-quality white lighting which improves safety

Significantly reducing light pollution to the night sky (by more than 90%)

Council joined a buying group of 29 Councils to provide economy of scale. The Southern Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils led the negotiations with electricity distributor Ausgrid on behalf of participating councils.

The streetlight replacement program is the latest initiative in Council’s Climate and Renewables Strategy, which aims for a carbon-neutral Council and a zero-emissions community.